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Original poster

Stretch & Sweep

134 replies

SpicyMeatball · 10/11/2011 13:20

I am booked in for a stretch and sweep in about 2 and a half weeks, and quite frankly, i'm terrified!

I'm hoping that i will go into labour naturally before then but if not, does it hurt as much as people say??

And if you have previously had one, how long did it take for you to go into labour?

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JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 10/11/2011 15:04

I'm not an expert at all but I have my doubts that the first one will be effective if done at 38 + 5 wks. But I presume the consultant has more experience than I do and feels it's worth a try. Hope you find it's OK. I guess if it's not for you you can take those feelings into account when deciding whether to have the procedure again should that be suggested.
I think labour and birth should be all about informed consent.
Good luck with it all Spicy !

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 10/11/2011 15:06

I agree with you Juggling after reading up about it.
Suppose i wont know until it happens but if it is really painful, i think i will refuse a second one.
Thanks again :)

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Tupperwife · 10/11/2011 15:18

Spicy good luck

I should probably add that for me my due dates have been very out. DS1 was 40+3 by dates, but by condition was at least 2 weeks overdue; long fingernails, dry skin, long hair and manky placenta. DS2 was 41+4 by scan (40+4 by dates), and a pound heavier than DS1 but seemed maybe even slightly premature. The midwife reckoned if I'd been in for monitoring they would have re-calculated my dates because the placenta was still in such good nick. So I guess I'm trying to say don't get too hung up on how many days they tell you you're over; it's an informed guess rather than a gospel truth.

I do recommend doing it in 6 hours! Still bloody knackering, but at least I got a decent lunch beforehand and to go to bed straight afterwards.

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 10/11/2011 15:23

Thanks for that info tupperwife, i wasn't aware you could tell by the placenta etc. They have only put me back 2 days from my own original dates but i guess you can never tell.

Haha yes, that's what im hoping for! :)

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Pastabee · 10/11/2011 15:29

I have mine booked for next week on my due date. I don't know what to expect as its my first baby but I have had smear tests. Guessing the lack of cold, metal instrument is a plus even if it did hurt more iyswim?

They said at ante natal class to put fists under you as this can make the cervix easier to reach.

Has anyone heard of this / done this? Did it help? Sorry to hijack spicy but I guess you will be interested in any answers to this too!

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 10/11/2011 15:31

Hey go ahead Pastabee, any information i can get will help Grin.
Good luck for yours!

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Flisspaps · 10/11/2011 15:35

Pastabee the MW who didnn't do a sweep (the second one which was never recorded but definitely done) got me to put my fists under my bum, which confused me as I KNEW my cervix wasn't posterior because of the first sweep.

The MW who didn't ask me to didn't have any trouble performing a sweep.

blushingbaby · 10/11/2011 15:35

yes, i was told that for dc1pastabee but unfortunately my cervix was too closed for the sweep to have any effect with him.

Pastabee · 10/11/2011 15:56

Sounds like the rest of the info surrounding sweeps - it only helps if you are ready for labour anyway. Aaah well, thanks anyway for your answers.

waitingforskinnyjeanstofit · 10/11/2011 16:29

I'm 8 days overdue and had one today....I would describe it as more of a "rummage around" than painful but I think it does depend how ready you are (the MW said she could believe labour hadn't started with me.)

Try and stay relaxed (so much easier said than done I know) and it was over in about a minute.

twogirls1more · 10/11/2011 19:41

I would say on the advice of your MW spicy that it sounds like a good idea. It doesn't always work but can be helpful in getting things going. Very sorry to hear about your baby boy, must've been dreadful for you :(

pilotsprincess · 10/11/2011 20:16

I have one tomorrow!
Ill be 39+6 so just a day short of my due date.
Im feeling abit nervous about it but then again I really want to meet my baby now, just want to know that everything is ok with her ( I was in hospital just last night for monitoring for reduced movement )
I feel like im losing my mind with counting kicks now because she seems quieter at times.
Got a perfect trace though, with lots of movements so glad I went in.
I shall let you know how I find the sweep.
Sorry to hear about your baby boy, wishing you all the best for the birth of your little girl :)

localcrackpot · 10/11/2011 21:57

Hi!
Mine was sore, but by no means unmanageable. It was quite like a smear, and the MW did get a good rummage - apparently it went well, although it seems I might not be able to have a home water birth as I had planned unless she starts very shortly as my bp has randomly risen Sad

come on, baby! On the plus side I had a bloody show straight after, which has to be a good sign!

localcrackpot · 10/11/2011 21:59

Just to add, so sorry to hear about the loss of your son and all very best wishes for a straightforward delivery this time.

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 10/11/2011 22:17

Thankyou everyone for your replies! And good luck to everyone that is having one soon! Please come back and let me know how it all went :).

PilotsPrincess i hope it works for you! :) You never know, you could have a baby by tomorrow night! Keep us updated!! X

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localcrackpot · 11/11/2011 12:09

BP down again! So due another sweep tomorrow. And I thought it might reassure you to know, OP, that I am feeling quite relaxed about it having had one before. Uncomfortable, but not traumatic :)
Good luck!

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 11/11/2011 12:39

Thankyou Local :) glad you're feeling alright about it! Good luck for tomorrow, i'll keep my fingers crossed for you :)!

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pilotsprincess · 11/11/2011 18:17

hiya!
I had my sweep today..nothing to it! It didnt hurt me at all, really nothing even compared to a smear test where I usually tense up because on the speculum thingy.
This was nothing at all so dont worry about it :)
Found that im 1cm dilated already and Ive had a show since the sweep so hoping things will hurry along for me now!!
fingers crossed for all of you :)

Pastabee · 11/11/2011 19:14

Ooo, fingers crossed for pilot. Come on baby pilot!

Glad to hear it all went fine. I was taking lack of metal as a plus so good to hear it was and may well have done the trick.

ExquisiteCake · 11/11/2011 23:00

I found mine quite uncomfortable and almost painful and nothing like a smear test.

However I gave birth within 24 hours of having it.

localcrackpot · 12/11/2011 11:29

Hello all! Glad to hear so many people are finding it ok. I had my second about thirty minutes ago and it seems that I am now 3cm dilated! Top stuff. Apparently my cervix is favourable, so wahey! Just need some contractions and we shouldn't be far off a baby, really...

I hope everyone else is having similar good news (or even labour!) and we'll all be holding snuffly babies before too long!

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 12/11/2011 14:31

Glad to hear it went well Pilot!

Fingers crossed for your baby to arrive soon then Local :) oo its so exciting haha!

I think i have had some "show" in the past couple of days, not bloody though. Sorry TMI. But is it true that it can still take a couple of weeks for labour to start??

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JugglingWithGoldandMyrhh · 12/11/2011 15:25

No wonder there was nothing to it for you pilot - it sounds as though you are practically in labour already Grin

Come on baby pilot ! Come on local babe ! And come on baby spice !

< sheds a small tear Smile >

Original poster
SpicyMeatball · 12/11/2011 16:13

Baby Spice! Haha i love it! Thanks Juggling :)

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pilotsprincess · 12/11/2011 16:37

Thanks ladies! still waiting for the big event here, on my bouncy ball and having dull aches around my lower back now..pleeease baby come on out!!
local I think your well on the way, best of luck, keep us updated!!